Sunday, January 29, 2012

OK - here is a "teaser" prelude for Teri's contributions to my Madonna Lacebook. Teri is the first of five - my book moves to Oregon next from NYC. They are amazing, beautiful, gorgeous - wow, words can hardly describe them. There is a link to Teri's Blog on my Mixed Media pagewhere I show and tell(or, click on the "Mixed Media" tab under the Blue Moose banner above). I am excited!

Saturday, January 28, 2012

OMGosh, am soooo looking forward to my 12-day trip to the warmer climes... Desert Hot Springs (just 15 minutes north of Palm Springs - never been there) where my sister and her husband (Nadine and Owen) are "winter-birding" from the Sunshine Coast, Canada, for five months. Lucky birdies! Of course, I must wait three weeks for the trip and by that time it might warm up here!

As you can see from the outside thermometer (if it is working properly) it is not exactly as the weather report indicates or my right sidebar. The right sidebar was down to -28 just a half hour ago and the iPhone4 temp was -27 (confirmed by the Kenai Airport).

I am again "hibernating" today unless it gets a lot warmer; still have tomorrow to go out for groceries and JoAnn Fabric... lol.

OR, may venture out for a quick photo shoot - it is amazingly beautiful. Must admit that!

[Remained behind the screen for the shoot though, as you can surmise.]

Friday, January 27, 2012

Salmon Bake - use "red" or "sockeye" salmon; tried it once with pink salmon and it really was too mushy. Phyllis taught me how to can in the early 1990s when she and Warren would travel to Alaska each summer to fish for the reds and travel back home to Eugene, Oregon. They were the neatest "older couple" (and, LOL, I am now older than they were when I met them, I think) at that time and would tell wonderful tales about their travels. They are both gone and I can still hear their voices.

Today I am hibernating and just happened to have the ingredients except for the celery (lo and behold, could hardly believe it) so my "salmon bake" is now cooking in the oven! Amen to that...

Best Ever Salmon Bake

Added this a couple hours after posting... pics always help w/a recipe.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

My contribution this week to Bonnie's PDPA Challenge: to take three photos and integrate them with one of her texture pieces into an "abstract." This took a while and definitely was a challenge - so many options and choices - and, wouldn't mind trying with different color variations. Regardless, always have fun. Includes reflection at Tern Lake, Arizona cacti, and Kenai ravens.

"Love 'Came Down'" is the statement on the cup, with a passage on the inside. Practicing photoshop software - not spending a whole lot of time because of other commitments. But, always so much fun to learn new techniques.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

One BFF, Jaci, and Sheila Fae (another friend's daughter) - excited over new shoes. Took this in a rather dim lighted restaurant over lunch break today with my iPhone4 (the camera I carry with me; I soooo want to move up to the 4S for the 8mp camera... LOL). Toned down the image and added a bit of texture with one of Kim's wonderful gifts. The objective is to "tell a story." Enjoy.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Set of 4 mini-loaf pans (welded together) are perfect for small or single-sized portions of lasagna or meatloaf. Sunday night I made turkey lasagna using whole wheat noodles for "company" and for the week at work. Have been searching for this size for quite a while.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

This afternoon my youngest daughter, Daedra, and her oldest daughter, Dareena, came over for a couple hours of "playtime." We collaboratively lined an itchy knitted head band for Dareena and then began a needle case for Daedra. Finishing touches will hopefully occur next weekend.

And, it warmed up by close to 35 degrees, I think getting to 10 above!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

This week I chose to do the "abstract" portion of the challenge with Bonnie's "Chinks of Light" Texture. Had fun trying several different variations and finally decided on publishing this one. Thanks, Bonnie, for your continued efforts at helping us "grown in our art."

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Had to post these from screenshots on my iPhone4 weather... I am NOT complaining, but it is getting a bit "long" this time for the temps to remain so low - this morning my vehicle cranked a couple of times (older 1999 Ford Escort), but turned over. I remember a friend (Allen Houtz) saying that I need to let it sit in neutral for a few minutes to warm up the oil. So, did that! Then, drove to Kenai for two errands and left the car on while I went inside. Came back out and "service engine soon" is "lit on my dashboard." Have a wonderful mechanic who will stop by tonight after work to make sure I can drive. Low low temps and this is just one five day segment!

While Alicia and I were doing errands/shopping this weekend I quickly snapped this photo with my iPhone4 as we were sitting at a stop light. It was such an "after thought as I tried to roll down the frozen window" that I had to at least crop out my finger in the upper left hand corner! What a hoot!

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Wonderful evening respite before completing page 5 of 6 for my Lacebook. Sort of a mini-celebration for tomorrows completion and since I couldn't be in ANC for my oldest daughter's birthday today. Love you, Alicia. God Bless You with His choicest blessings for a bright and wonderful future you truly deserve. Check out this lovely little "cooking device."

Sunday, January 8, 2012

Very much wanted to share the "beginnings" of an exchange with five others; it is a "Lacebook" collaborative. Finally I have my transfers completed. I have never done an all fabric book - so here's to a first! Our deadline to send off covers (f/b) and two pages is the 15th - since I will be in ANC it will be close if I don't finish before the 13th - but, then I can hand stitch on the weekend and send it off to NY (its next destination). This is exciting. Each of us will do two pages in each book.

The "collaborators" are from New York, Oregon, Australia, Palm Springs via Victoria (Canada, a winterbird), and Idaho - with me, in Alaska. Themes vary - jazz era, a stitch in time, Victorian gypsy, young girl in Paris, Victorian couples, and Madonna Mary.

I won't be posting again on the home page until my book is completed, but I am posting photos on my Mixed Media Page - so, check it out once in a while if you would like.

My Transfers (Yeah, I can now begin sewing!)

My Front and Back Covers...

[You are welcome to click on the photos for a more detailed view. Thanks.]

Sunday, January 1, 2012

Postponed my Anchorage trip until next Friday - just too cold to be on the road alone in my 1999 Ford Escort - LOL. So, will hopefully ride up with friend Jaci on Friday in her Ford Escape 4x4; if not, have an alternate ride with Chris and Hugh on Thursday - the week will evolve...

Had to share this "foodie" fun... dear friends Chris and Hugh, with Chris' daughter Kenna, Laura, and baby Antonia, invited me over for a delightful New Years Eve visit. Here are photos of cooking individual servings on a Raclette (this one made by West Bend) - we had small caribou or potato rounds mostly on the grill top; then, underneath a broiler with room for eight triangle-ish sized pans - we each had two and could cook with choices of fabulous condiments.

Wow, for sure!

Raclette

[Taken with my iPhone4; click on the photos for a more detailed view.]

As a mixed media artist and perpetual life-long learner, I keep super busy in semi-retirement blending my passions of bookarts, beading and photography.The Alaska Blue Moose was named after my popular acrylic painting and is a place where I enjoy sharing inspiration with friends and family in the blogging community. Your constructive feedback is always welcome. My goal is to share the beauty of Alaska and my continuing artistic endeavors.